Expanding on the Manufacturing USA Occupation and Competency Framework, this NIST Advanced Manufacturing Series publication describes the most common entry-level occupations in advanced manufacturing across the technology areas associated with the Manufacturing USA network through 2030. It serves as a potential guide for workforce professionals and training providers, emphasizing forward-looking, transferable skills. The report highlights connections between different career pathways in advanced manufacturing and potential augmentations to other workforce frameworks.
This report identifies 132 occupations connected to 235 KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) that workers need, as of 2025 and into the future, to work with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies across technology areas (biomanufacturing, digital/automation, electronics, energy/processes, materials). This report uses data collected in 2025 to propose organizing the identified KSAs into 13 competencies and 68 sub-competencies as an extension of existing competency models. The objective of this framework is to provide a common language for and improve collaboration between industry, training providers, and workers.
Released by the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing, this technical report supports the development of a common language around occupations, skills, and competencies to improve collaboration among industry, training providers, workers, and among the Manufacturing USA institutes.